Phew what a week! I had a busy, busy week at work and then I had Friday off. I was planning on doing nothing but that just isn't me! I can't keep still. So between Friday and Saturday I created 4 necklaces. Talk about a creative high! So what was your week like, did you create anything?
I also want to shout out to my 3 three kindred spirits - Karen, Moriah and Tricia. Ladies, you are super creative and you have no idea how much you inspire me!
On to today's topic - Inspiration! It's a big topic, isn't it? Or at least a long one. Yikes, I cannot promise to keep this short :-)
These are the ways I get inspired and keep my creative fire stoked!
1. Magazines - This was a given, right? Very, very obvious. Magazines from companies like Stampington. Interior design mags, fashion mags, style mags, food mags. You name it. But did you also know that their are digital magazines too? Stampington puts out some of their magazines in a digital format. And even for paper mags, you can order them online. So in case you live in a place where access to mags is not easy, don't let that stop you. Have you ever seen this artzine called Pasticcio? And if you like jewelry have you ever seen Bead Trends? It's gorgeous!
2. Books - If you have ever been to this blog before you know I love reading. So I am not just talking about technique books or coffee table books. I am talking about fiction too. Some authors paint such beautiful pictures with their words and the best part is that you get to fill in your own visuals. Don't believe me? Let me give you an example:
"A tea shop, especially Theodosia's Indigo Tea Shop, was a place that just naturally granted the patrons the permission to slow down. To sit at one of the little wooden tables impeccably set with sterling silver and bone china. To appreciate the way the sunlight filtered through the old leaded-glass windows, breathe in in the aroma of fresh tea and engage in relaxing conversation. And, of course, there was the major diversion of partaking in a languid three-course, four-course or even six-course tea menu. A menu that began with fruit or cream scones accompanied by billowing poufs of Devonshire cream and strawberry jam. The segued into three-tiered trays laden wuth cucumber sandwiches, smoked salmon pinwheels, individual cheese and mushroom quiches, and other mouth watering savories. Of course, an Indigo tea shop grand finale always included sinfully rich desserts such as chocolate truffles, raspberry cobbler, apricot tortes, or miniature almond cakes."
From 'Blood Orange Brewing' by Laura Childs. It makes me want to bake or make truffles (I have done that in the past but hubby and I eat them all and I afraid for our healths, LOL!) or have tea or go out for tea. At the very least it makes me hungry!!
3. Movies - Have you ever seen "Alice In WonderLand" by Tim Burton, or "The Holiday" with Kate Winslet/Cameron Diaz or "Practical Magic" or "My Fair Lady" or period films? Lush settings, lush clothes, beautiful visuals to inspire. Do you have any recommendations for me?
4. Catalogs - Not just from your favorite craft supply companies but clothing catalogs like Talbots, Ann Taylor, Anthropologie, or from companies like Crate and Barrel. I pay attention to the wall art and designs on cushions and the colors! Just staring at those catalogs gives me ideas on color combinations that work. And the beautiful jewels are to die for.
5. Inspiration galleries from your favorite companies - Some on my favorite jewelry supply stores Artbeads, Vintaj, Fire Mountain Gems have inspiration galleries.
6. Flickr - Join Flickr, even if you aren't much into photography itself! There are groups of all kinds that share interests - silk scarves, moleskine art, ferris wheels. After all "A Picture is worth a thousand words"!
7. Creative community sites like - Milliande Creative Community, Split Coast Stampers, Shutter Sisters. Do you have any communities to share?
8. If you are taking any kind of lessons - online or in person, inspiration can be found from the work of your class mates.
9. Blogs - But you already know about this! I just have a little tidbit. Look at the sidebars of your favorite blogs, see what classes or tools or people they mention. Go to the links on their sidebar. Because if you like their blog, odds are you will like the people they link too. I consider blogs to be a gold mine.
10. Do something entirely different! When I am stuck or jaded or just do not feel creative I do something entirely different. I go for a walk, watch a movie, go out for lunch. Go window shopping- shops like Anthropologie can be super inspiring! Or you see someone wearing some beautiful jewelery or a scarf that inspires you.
On Friday, I went out to antique stores with Karen and OMG! Just seeing the beautiful vintage lace, and little art cards from cigarette boxes, old maps, dressmakers books got my creative juices flowing. And of course, spending time with a friend like Karen - invaluable! Getting to rave about all the cool things that inspire and the projects we are working on - it was so much fun and so good for the soul! Thanks Karen!!
And here is what I am sharing today:
I don't have an technique to talk about here, I was just playing with paints. But those little frames you see? They are from "Melissa Frances", you get these in stamping and scrapbooking stores.
So what are you going to share today?
This party will be open till Tuesday noon EST, so feel free to link up, the link tool is below. And if you like you can grab the button for this party from the sidebar.
Next week's topic - Writing down ideas? Do you do it? Do you like it? Does it help?
Keep Creating!
Amisha
Thanks for having me today. I found out about your link up via Karen at A scrapbook of Inspiration. I am not an artist but this week I was inspired to create a slide show all about Autumn, my favourite time of year.
Best wishes,
Natasha.
Posted by: Natasha | March 27, 2011 at 06:36 AM
Hi Amisha,
I love this post and all the links, new places to visit always helps me gather new inspiration. I loved our serendipitous meeting on Friday. Wasn't that pure amazing, as I was driving towards Ink About It that you should call with the idea to meet in Concord? Another trick of creativity be spontaneous! Well, I loved our trip and my gathered inspiration from Friday has me thinking of a new project. I love your canvas as always. I wore my new scarf yesterday. I love the color too. This summer I will have a new white purse for the season.
Well, you inspire me in our virtual world and you inspire me in real life.
Karen
Posted by: karenharveycox | March 27, 2011 at 09:23 AM
Another great post, Amisha! Thanks for mentioning me - I find it hard to believe that I can inspire anyone, but I so appreciate that you find my blog inspiring. Makes me think I'll keep at this. :) And I love, love your painting! I just adore textural things and so I am going to have to give this a try - although maybe not on canvas - maybe one of my altered book pages! I can't wait to check out some of your links - should be great fun. And I love to go to antique shops, too. Makes me think of a gift I made for my best friend that was inspired by a small handkerchief I found at a shop while she and I were shopping. I'll have to go to her house and take a photo! She'll think I'm weird - LOL! Have a blessed day and week! And thanks again for the wonderful party.
Blessings,
Tricia
Posted by: Tricia | March 27, 2011 at 09:28 AM
What a great blog Amisha. I just completed an online class which was very inspiring. I do find my inspiration in many of the same place you do, and thankfully with the web and blog site I'm able to meet like mind women. I'm going to pick up your button and try to link up to your blog. Have a wonderful day. susan
Posted by: Susan Hosueman | March 27, 2011 at 11:10 AM
fantastic post - inspiration is everywhere, we just need to observe more and get in touch with nature, our senses and the beauty in our world!
i also like to put little creative challenges out there for myself so if I have a beautiful image that I find inspiring
i will create a greeting card based on that image...
Posted by: anastasia | March 28, 2011 at 07:14 AM
great ideas. i am inspired by light, i find it energises me, i immediately start to sort things out so i can make something, design something, fix something. i also find i am inspired by serene, quiet, beautiful spaces. once my own space is tidy i want to make all kinds of things. i find images of interiors, going to workshops, antiques fairs, and just sitting or having a bath and writing in my book each day fills me with ideas, but then i need some open space, visually, to get things really rolling. sometimes with the wildness of living with children & working from home the best thing to do is look out the window at my garden, at the rolling hills. x
Posted by: elisa rathje | March 28, 2011 at 07:29 AM